Do you ever feel like you could be doing more to improve your work performance or that of your team?
Measuring performance is the easy part of leadership. The metrics are no secret. Sales metrics, financials, employee retention, satisfaction scores, etc. all are guideposts we use every day to determine if our organization and people are being productive.
Yet, when those numbers begin to point downward, finding the right levers to improve employee performance becomes urgent. The good news is that there are strategies to use to increase your productivity and achieve your goals. In this article, we’ll explore some effective ways to improve employee performance in the workplace, from providing clear expectations and goals to recognizing and rewarding good performance.
We’ll also discuss the benefits of fostering a positive work environment, investing in training and development opportunities, and creating a strong coaching culture. So, whether you’re a business leader or an individual looking to improve your performance, keep reading to discover some valuable tips and tricks that Fierce has learned from over 20 years of working with the best organizations in the world.
7 Strategies for Increasing Performance
Provide clear expectations and goals
To ensure employee productivity and motivation, it is crucial to establish clear expectations and goals. This includes defining job responsibilities and performance standards, as well as setting specific, challenging, and achievable objectives.
Research has shown that goal setting improves employee performance, particularly when accompanied by feedback and support. One consistent strategy for setting difficult goals is to publicize the goals and create group ownership in the goal. However, external monitoring without feedback and face-to-face delivery may not have as strong of an impact.
On an individual level, having a strong sense of pull power is essential for achieving personal goals. This involves having a clear and compelling vision of the desired future and being willing to overcome obstacles and discomfort to reach it. By cultivating this level of motivation, teams, and individuals better navigate the challenges and setbacks that may arise during their pursuit of success.
Engage in regular feedback
As a business leader, you understand the importance of providing regular feedback to your employees. Feedback helps your team members identify areas for improvement and stay motivated to perform at their best.
But how do you know if your feedback culture is operating at its peak?
One clear indicator is the frequency and quality of your feedback conversations. Are you checking in with your team members daily, establishing open and honest communication, and focusing on the positive as well as the negative? By modeling these practices, you create a feedback culture that encourages engagement and growth.
At Fierce, we believe in the power of clear and constructive feedback to help individuals and teams thrive. By emphasizing the “what” instead of the “why” in your feedback conversations, you create a supportive environment where people feel seen and valued. When people know that others care about their experiences and feelings, they are more likely to embrace feedback as a tool for growth and development. So why not start building your feedback culture today?
Offer training and development opportunities
Providing training and development opportunities to your employees is crucial for their growth and performance improvement. The benefits of such opportunities include improved job satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.
According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, giving your employees autonomy and control over their work increases their motivation and engagement as well. As a business leader, investing in your employee’s growth and development is investing in the success of your company.
Many companies come to us seeking training for their leaders and team members. They often struggle with employees constantly coming to them with problems, a lack of confidence in decision-making, and a lack of defined development paths for employees. These issues can be resolved by building a strong coaching culture within your organization.
By equipping leaders with effective coaching skills, they build high-performance teams that make a real impact on business results. Effective coaching will always involve asking powerful questions that spark insight and creating space for self-reflection to help employees develop and embrace their self-generated solutions.
By investing in your employee’s growth and development and building a strong coaching culture within your organization, you improve their job satisfaction, motivation, and engagement while also driving business results.
Recognize and reward good employee performance
We know that recognizing and rewarding your employees is crucial to improving their motivation and performance. Studies have shown that personalized and meaningful recognition has a significant impact on employee engagement.
Gallup’s Global Workforce Report found that 68% of employees would work harder if they felt their efforts were better recognized. Praise publicly and coach privately, acknowledging employees’ observable behavior and the positive outcomes that resulted from their efforts. And remember to ask for their perspective, allowing them to participate in high-stakes decisions, which not only improves decisions but also shows your appreciation for their dedication and commitment to the company.
At the end of the day, recognizing and rewarding your employees is more than just a box to check off on your to-do list. It’s about creating a high-functioning work environment that enriches relationships and boosts productivity. Don’t let the opportunity to show appreciation for your employees’ hard work slip away. With the right approach, recognizing and rewarding your employees can be a game-changer for your organization.
Create a positive work environment
We all have the power to create a work environment that drives employee performance, productivity, and retention. One way to achieve this is by fostering a positive work environment that encourages teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Creating a positive work environment is characterized by supportive relationships, trust, and a shared sense of purpose also leads to improved performance.
Additionally, it is crucial to have a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy in place. By investing in organizational culture initiatives and creating an inclusive work culture, you attract and retain top talent, improve productivity and profits, and enhance your organization’s reputation. Remember, diversity and inclusivity must go hand in hand, and creating a truly inclusive culture makes your organization a great place to work and a destination for recruiters.
Fierce believes in the power of thriving positive cultures, and our Teams Conversation model helps team members feel more comfortable participating in meetings and decision-making. By implementing these strategies and creating an inclusive work environment, you help your team members feel heard, valued, and supported, ultimately leading to better results and a more positive work experience for everyone.
Support work-life balance
Another way to achieve increased productivity is to emphasize the need for a better work-life balance.
However, it’s important to remember that even with flexible work arrangements, building strong relationships with your team members is at the heart of balanced priorities. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the modern workplace, it’s crucial to prioritize conversations and practice empathy. Close your email inbox, and listen to what others have to say. As a leader, remember to check in with yourself too, by dedicating time to reflect, take care of yourself, and prioritize your health and well-being.
It’s easy for all of us to get caught up in noise and distractions. But as a leader, you have the power to create a culture of deep and meaningful conversations. By doing so, you strengthen your team, build better relationships with clients and vendors, and ultimately drive the success of your business. So let’s start the conversation and create a workplace that values connection and empathy.
Encourage employee engagement
Employee engagement is a critical factor in the success of any organization. Engaged employees are committed to their work, perform at a higher level, and are more likely to stay with the company. However, measuring engagement is a challenge, and it’s not always easy to spot hidden problems that undermine productivity. So, how do you increase employee engagement?
The first step is to ask questions. Encourage your employees to ask, “How might this be better?” or “How might we do this differently?” This simple act of questioning leads to new ideas and perspectives and helps employees feel more involved and invested in their work.
The second step is to involve your employees in different aspects of the business, such as interacting with clients, products, or assembly. This helps foster a customer-centric culture and encourages employees to think more broadly about their work. Finally, gather information from a broad array of experts and resources, not just relying on internal institutional knowledge.
Encouraging employee engagement through activities such as team building, social events, and volunteer opportunities also increases employee satisfaction and performance. By implementing these strategies, employers create a positive work environment that fosters high performance and productivity from their employees.
Summary
Improving employee performance in the workplace is crucial for the success of any organization. By providing clear expectations and goals, engaging in regular feedback, offering training and development opportunities, recognizing and rewarding good performance, creating a positive work environment, and building a strong coaching culture, business leaders can boost while driving business results.
Investing in employee growth and development not only benefits individual employees but also enhances the overall success of the organization. By following these strategies, businesses can create a culture of high employee performance and foster a positive work environment to attract and retain top talent.
